The powers of the Town (see Glossary for definition) under this
Charter shall be construed liberally in favor of the Town, and no
mention of particular powers in the Charter shall be construed to
be exclusive or as limiting in any way the general power stated in
this article.
The Town may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its
functions and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or
in cooperation, by contract or otherwise, with any one or more states
or civil divisions, municipalities, or agencies thereof, or of the
United States or any agencies thereof, to the extent permitted by
law.
[Amended 6-14-2022]
The Town Meeting shall be the legislative body of the Town,
excluding those matters in which the Select Board is empowered with
legislative authority by Maine Statute, and shall exercise those powers
set forth in this section and any incidental powers necessary to be
consistent with the Laws and Constitution of the State of Maine.
(1)
Annual Town Meeting. This meeting shall be held in the Town of Camden,
on the second Tuesday in June of each year, for the purpose of choosing
by secret ballot:
(a)
a moderator.
(d)
Pursuant to Title 30-A MRS § 2528, the warrant shall present the Annual Budget, Capital Plan and supplemental appropriations, including any from the Surplus Account. (Refer to Article VI, Financial Procedures, §§ 6.01-6.06, for the Budget Process.)
(e)
Action necessary to comply with the property tax levy limit over-ride
provisions under State law.
(2)
Call of Town Meeting. Each Town Meeting shall be called by a Warrant
(see Glossary for definition). The Warrant shall be signed by a majority
of the Select Board. If for any reason a majority of the Select Board
members do not remain in office, a majority of those members remaining
may call a Town Meeting.
(3)
Posting
of Warrant. At least seven (7) days before Town Meeting the complete
Warrant shall be posted in at least three (3) conspicuous places,
including the Town Office, the Camden Public Library, and on the Town
website.
(4)
Review
of Ordinances. All proposed Town Ordinances and Warrant Articles shall
be examined by the Town Attorney before being submitted to the voters.
The Town Attorney is authorized to correct the form of a proposed
ordinance or Article for the purpose of avoiding repetitions, illegality,
and unconstitutional provisions, and to assure accuracy in its text
and references, and clarity and preciseness in its phraseology. Any
such corrections shall not substantively change its meaning and effect.
(1)
Petitions for Articles on the Warrant. Any qualified voter may request
that the Select Board place an Article on the Warrant and shall present
the substance of the Article in written form. If the request is denied
by the Select Board, on the written petition of a number of voters
equal to at least 10% of the number of votes cast in the Town at the
last gubernatorial election, the Select Board shall insert that particular
Article in the next Warrant issued or shall call a special Town Meeting
for its consideration.
(2)
Petition by Voters if Select Board Unreasonably Refuses to Place
an Article on the Warrant. If the Select Board unreasonably refuses
to call a Town Meeting, a Notary Public may call the meeting on the
written petition of a number of voters equal to at least ten (10)
percent of the number of votes cast in the Town at the last gubernatorial
election, but in no case less than ten (10) voters.
State law Reference: Title 30-A MRS, §§ 2521,
et seq.
In the event that the Town shall be required to operate its
own school system, unless otherwise provided by law, the voters shall
provide by ordinance for the administration of such a system.
State Law Reference: Title 20-A MRS.
